By: Birdwell S.B. No. 527
 
  (Cook)
 
   
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to a defendant's payment of costs associated with a
  court-appointed counsel.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Article 26.05, Code of Criminal Procedure, is
  amended by adding Subsection (g-1) to read as follows:
         (g-1)(1)  This subsection applies only to a defendant who at
  the time of sentencing to confinement or placement on community
  supervision, including deferred adjudication community
  supervision, did not have the financial resources to pay the
  maximum amount described by Subsection (g)(1) or (2), as
  applicable, for legal services provided to the defendant.
               (2)  At any time during a defendant's sentence of
  confinement or period of community supervision, the judge, after
  providing written notice to the defendant and an opportunity for
  the defendant to present information relevant to the defendant's
  ability to pay, may order a defendant to whom this subsection
  applies to pay any unpaid portion of the amount described by
  Subsection (g)(1) or (2), as applicable, if the judge determines
  that the defendant has the financial resources to pay the
  additional portion.
               (3)  The judge may amend an order entered under
  Subdivision (2) if, subsequent to the judge's determination under
  that subdivision, the judge determines that the defendant is
  indigent or demonstrates an inability to pay the amount ordered.
               (4)  In making a determination under this subsection,
  the judge may only consider the information a court or courts' 
  designee is authorized to consider in making an indigency
  determination under Article 26.04(m).
               (5)  Notwithstanding any other law, the judge may not
  revoke or extend the defendant's period of community supervision
  solely to collect the amount the defendant has been ordered to pay
  under this subsection. 
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.